Pattern Notes: All photographs copyright splityarn 2011 and used with permission. Technical editing by Elizabeth Sullivan.

I’m so excited to release this pattern. I’ve been holding it in reserve for ages, waiting for fall sweater excitement to be in the air. I love the kicky stripes, the “choose your own adventure” idea, the beautiful, light fabric. Trimmings is a flexible pattern with many possibilities. The kicky stripes make the perfect edging on a simple, trim silhouette, and the sweater can be knit with either of two sleeve options, paired with either of two neck- lines, combined with either of two hem heights. It’s eight sweaters in one!

You can find more information about Trimmings on its pattern page, but for this blog post I want to spend some time talking about customizing Trimmings for your very own body, and the “Mod – A – Long” we’ll host in my ravelry group.

First things first: I recommend choosing a size based on your upper torso measurement. Take a chest circumference with the tape measure located above the fullest part of your bust, high in your armpit. The turquoise sample is shown in size 38’’, modeled with -3’’/-7.5 cm of ease in the bust with zero ease in the upper torso. Green sample shown is size 34’’ and is modeled with -1’’/-2.5 cm ease in the bust/zero ease in the upper torso on Debbie and 1’’/2.5 cm of ease in the upper torso on Jackie. Once you’ve selected a base size, compare the other measurements for that size against your own measurements to identify places you’ll need to change things up.

In terms of shape-flattering elements, Trimmings offers great options for all body types. The turtleneck is a narrower silhouette; the cowl wider; the long sleeves and wide hem versions are more widening in the hips than the narrow hem and shorter sleeves. Top-heavy shapes might consider matching a narrow neckline with wider hem, as shown; proportional shapes might balance their choices; bottom-heavy shapes might choose a narrower hem treatment and wider neckline, as shown.

Finally, Trimmings is worked entirely in Stockinette Stitch and Garter Stitch, the two easiest stitch patterns to fiddle with in terms of darts. It uses vertical waist shaping darts that could easily be expanded into bust darts on the front; the necklines are simple shapes that can be dropped, raised, widened, or narrowed; if you need more room on the front of your sweater (to accommodate a belly and a large bust, for example), it’s a fairly simple mod to cast on for a wider front than back.

Excited by all of this modification talk, but a little nervous? Please, join us in the Amy Herzog Designs ravelry group, where I’ll be hosting a “Mod-A-Long”! Since it’s so customizable, I’m planning on generating a knit-a-long that’s focused on making Trimmings your own, using Fit to Flatter principles. I’ll answer questions, help with math, and participants can share ideas. Once a week, I’ll post a little snippet from the MAL to my blog, be it a swatch photo in progress, questions/answers, or anything else that seems right. I’m super excited to host a gallery of FOs once the perfect-for-you sweaters start rolling in.

Trimmings may be purchased from from my ravelry pattern store for US$7.00 or by clicking here: buy now